The Franklin County Solid Waste Management District will hold its spring Clean Sweep Bulky Waste Recycling Day on Saturday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to noon.

The three drop-off sites are: Mohawk Trail Regional School at 26 Ashfield Road in Buckland, Northfield Highway Garage at 49 Caldwell Road and Whately Transfer Station at 73 Christian Lane.

Residents from any of the district’s 21 member towns may bring bulky items such as tires, appliances, scrap metal, furniture, carpeting, construction debris, computers, televisions, propane gas tanks and other large items. Materials will be recycled whenever possible. However, mattresses and box springs will not be accepted as there are six permanent drop-off locations for mattress recycling across Franklin County.

There are charges for most items collected. Disposal fees, cash only, will be collected during check-in at each site. A complete list of prices for the most common items is available at franklincountywastedistrict.org. The price list has also been provided to participating town halls and transfer stations. Residents and businesses do not need to register in advance for the collection.

Electronics are accepted, but residents are also encouraged to recycle computer equipment and televisions at their town’s transfer station, or at the Greenfield Transfer Station. The Franklin County Solid Waste Management District advises that Staples stores accept computer equipment free of charge. Various charities and nonprofits also accept donations of working electronics, including Salvation Army and Goodwill stores. Call ahead to ask if they can accept the item.

Clean, dry textiles and books will be accepted for free reuse or recycling. Textiles must be contained inside a sturdy plastic bag. Textile recycling accepts 95% of all textiles, including clothing or linens that are torn, stained, have missing buttons or have broken zippers. Acceptable items include clean and dry clothing, shoes and accessories, plus curtains, sheets, towels and stuffed animals in any condition (except moldy or wet). Books can be in any condition (except moldy or wet) and can be hardcover or paperback. No encyclopedias will be accepted.

The Franklin County Solid Waste Management District advises that bulky rigid plastics will be collected separately for a special recycling program at $5 per load. Acceptable items for this program are limited to the following items only: 5-gallon pails, plastic lawn furniture, plastic trash barrels, recycling bins, laundry baskets, storage totes and milk crates. Bulky rigid plastic items must be empty.

The waste management district’s member towns are: Bernardston, Buckland, Charlemont, Colrain, Conway, Deerfield, Erving, Gill, Hawley, Heath, Leverett, Montague, New Salem, Northfield, Orange, Rowe, Shelburne, Sunderland, Warwick, Wendell and Whately. For more information, visit franklincountywastedistrict.org, or contact the district office at info@franklincountywastedistrict.org or 413-772-2438.

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